FEDERATION FACTS
In The Know
Sorosis is the name of the club to which FGWC founder Jane Cunningham Croly belonged. It's name is a botanical term which means "an aggregation, a sweet flavor of many fruits, as in the pineapple."
The members of Sorosis called a meeting of women's clubs in New York City on April 23-25, 1890. During that meeting, GFWC was founded. April 24 was chosen to be celebrated as Federation Day.
Ellen Demorest, co-founder of Sorosis, was the inventor of mass-produced sewing patterns. They were included in her magazine, Mme. Demorest's Mirror of Fashions. Jane Croly was the chief staff writer for the magazine.
In 1916, GFWC suggested that special naturalization services be made part of independence Day celebrations. It is still a tradition today.
During World War I, GFWC raised $4,880,000 in Liberty Bonds, $90,000 for the Red Cross, $55,106 for camp libraries, and $89,788 for the YMCA.
Jane Addams (founder of Hull House in Chicago), Julia Ward Howe (author of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic") and Eleanor Roosevelt were clubwomen.
GFWC was an important force in founding America's first national parks and supported the creation of the National Park Service. Each federation established a park within their state. Many, such as Everglades National Park, were handed over to the National Park Service and now are enjoyed by millions.
GFWC began a campaign to name official state birds and flowers in the 1920's .
By 1933 GFWC had founded 75% of America's public libraries, as well as pioneered the idea of bookmobiles.
Mrs. Roberta Campbell Lawson (GFWC President, 1935-1938) was helf Delaware Indian. She published books on Native American music, as well as transcribed Lakota chants. When she died, her vast collection of Native American artifacts was donated to the Philbrook Musuem in Oklahoma.
During World War II, GFWC raised $101,617,750 to buy bombers, $154,459,132 to buy planes, and $90,794,182 for Victory Loans. State federations provided $234,834 in scholarships and $46,601 in loans to train nurses. The Federation recruited over 6,000 young women for the Cadet Nurse Corps. Over 4,500 Juniors enlisted in the various services established for women.
In 1998 GFWC members volunteered 7,381,418 hours and contributed $19,134,825 in 11,882 projects and programs.
GFWC represents it's members on the Board of Directors of five national/international organizations (including CARE, Inc. and Keep America Beautiful) and sits on Advisory Boards of seven national/international organizations (including Make A Difference Day), the National Center on Women and Aging, and Canine Companions for Independence-CCI).
GFWC represents it's members on 22 organizational coalitions, including the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Child Labor Coalition, Connect America, Strong Women: Inside and Out, National Child Abuse Prevention Coalition, For A Safer America, and Points of Light Foundation.
From June 1997-May 1999, GFWC members contributed $2,357,421 in books and materials to public libraries and public school libraries for Libraries 2000.
Sources:
The Clubwoman as Feminist, Karen Blair, New York: Holmes &Meier, 1980
Reaching Out, by Mary Jean Houde, Chicago: the Mobium Press 1989
Unity in Diversity, by Margaret White Wells